Oxytocin Guidelines Associated with Compliance to National Standards

Develop a multidisciplinary, consensus-driven, evidence-based approach to oxytocin use, while adhering to national guidelines.

This was a quality improvement project that used the Plan Do Study Act method to create cycles of change over several years. To initiate discussion, a survey was administered at a social event for providers from divergent community practices that addressed the controversial aspects of oxytocin use. Graphic feedback was provided showing divergences between answers and the evidence. The perinatal team directed design and implementation of this project with specific involvement of a nurse quality improvement coordinator and nurse educator.

Process, outcome, and balancing measures were used to evaluate the program. Process measure: use of a standardized order-set.

rate of adherence to the resultant protocol. Balancing measures: 1) maximum oxytocin dose, 2) time from oxytocin initiation to birth, 3) cesarean birth rates, and 4) Apgar scores.

An initial increase in adherence to the protocol decreased with the loss of the "paper" order-set. Adherence improved when computerized physician order entry was adjusted: 2006: 73%, 2007: 95%; 2011: 57%, 2013: 100% (p = 0.007, 2006 vs. 2007) (p < 0.001, 2006 vs. 2013). Compliance with the protocol was associated with a decrease in maximum oxytocin dose and in time between oxytocin initiation and birth (p < 0.001).

Consistency and safety in patient care can be accomplished using literature-based evidence and active consensus building among members of the perinatal team. A standardization process must be integrated into the electronic medical record to become a sustained part of a practice culture.